2nd houseboat squatter sentenced

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A Flippin woman charged with illegally occupying a houseboat docked at an area marina for a short time last fall pled guilty to the charges filed against her during a session of Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday.

Twenty-four-year-old Kora Hardy was sentenced to one year in the Arkansas Department of Correction with five years probation to follow.

She was charged with residential burglary, theft of property, criminal mischief and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A Baxter County Sheriff’s deputy was called to Jordan Marina in early September last year to investigate a report unwanted guests were thought to be aboard one of the houseboats docked there.

As the deputy entered the houseboat and began to work his way through the rooms, he found Hardy and a male companion, 35-year-old Christopher Alsup, asleep in a bedroom.

In his report, the deputy noted the stereo was playing, light were on and dirty dishes and open food containers were also observed.

The deputy said Alsup admitted the couple had been on the boat for two days. He said it was unlocked when he made entry. The deputy did note he observed no signs of forced entry when he entered the boat through the front sliding glass door to check out the squatting complaint.

Officials at the marina reported Alsup and Hardy were captured on video surveillance taking another boat out on the lake for a spin on the afternoon of Sept. 6. The boat was returned, but was reported to have been damaged to some extent when it was put back on its lift.

In addition, investigators found a used syringe, along with a small green tin containing suspected marijuana. There was also drug paraphernalia located in the bedroom, and Hardy claimed ownership of the items.

A Paragould man owns the houseboat. When contacted, he said Alsup and Hardy did not have permission to be on his boat and told authorities he wanted to press charges.

In early April, Alsup was sentenced to six years in prison, with one to serve and five suspended on charges stemming from his part in the squatting incident. He was also ordered to pay $3,300 in restitution to the houseboat’s owner.

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